Lakeside Stroll Inspires Reflection and Healing

Article & Photos by MaryAnn Ketcham

The Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation’s annual Lakeside Stroll returned to the Lake at Tradition this year, bringing more than 400 participants together on a beautiful Saturday morning to honor loved ones and support members of the community who have lost a loved one. The tranquil setting of the 1.2-mile loop around the lake allowed strollers time to reflect and remember those they’ve lost.   

                The event offered strollers several ways to share memories and express their love. One of the therapeutic activities, the Memory Wall, provided attendees with the opportunity to display handwritten messages and photos of loved ones.

                Participants were also able to contribute to the Memorial Tapestry by writing personal sentiments on colorful fabric strips that would later be woven into the circular piece that is displayed at Treasure Coast Hospice’s Grief Support Center.

                Treasure Coast Hospice Director of Counseling & Pediatric Services Jacki Nardone, LCSW, ACHP-SW, welcomed the crowd and introduced Summer Melrose, club director of the Morningside Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County.

Melrose expressed the pain of the recent and sudden loss of co-worker and friend Leedy Boyle-Swart.  "Treasure Coast Hospice was there for us and our Club Kids," said Melrose.

                Because music played such a significant role in Boyle-Swart's life, the young members of her club sang several inspirational songs from her daily playlist in remembrance, providing a moving performance for all event participants.   

                Specialty tents highlighted Treasure Coast Hospice programs, including Treasured Pets, We Honor Veterans, Children’s Grief Support, and Volunteer Services.  

                 Numerous raffle items were available to win, helping to raise additional funds to benefit the Treasure Coast Hospice Grief Support Program. Among the many services offered, Treasure Coast Hospice has grief counselors who provide individual and group counseling, youth and family programs, crisis response, educational workshops, and Camp Good Grief, a youth bereavement camp, to all those in need in the community.

                In addition to presenting sponsor Dignity Memorial Aycock Funeral Homes, event sponsors included A & G Concrete Pools, Fox Haven Roofing, Gordon Food Service, Natalie's Orchid Island, Starbucks, Sam's Club, Living Faith Church, Wawa, SLC Children's Services Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of SLC, Remnant Construction, Martin Funeral Home & Crematory, iThink Financial, PDQ, St. Lucie Draft House and True Crew Dance Co., and Aschlei Baker of HEW Fitness.

                For more information, please visit TreasureHealth.org.